Frank b



(No Model.)

P. B. RAE. ELECTRIC SOLDERING IRON.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Patented July 30, 1895.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK B. RAE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES L. COFFIN, OFSAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SOLDERlNG-IRON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,654, dated July 30,1895.

Application filed $eptember 18, 1894. Serial No. 523,405. (No model.)

To atZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK B. RAE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in ElectricSoldering-Irons, of which the followingis a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of an electricsoldering,- iron for cans, (he, comprising a fixed standard or rod, uponwhich the soldering-iron is pivoted and turns, with means for revolvingit about the fixed standard in the circular path while maintaining thecurrent to heat the soldering-iron at all times.

The invention further consists in the peculiar construction,arrangement, and combination of the various parts.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved device. Fig.2 is an enlarged sectional elevation showing. the parts in a littlediiferent position from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontalsection on line to 00, Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a bottom plan of the swiveledtop, showing the construction and arrangement of the contact-springs.Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View of the soldering-iron, showingthe interior construction thereof.

A is a brace, preferably tubular and having the usual handle. At itsupper end it is provided with the top B and at its lower end with abracket or foot 0. In line with the central point of the top, andslidingly engaging in a bearing D of the bracket 0, is thesupporting-standard E, preferably a rod, havin g a shoulder or washerabove or below the bracket 0 and a spring F sleeved over the standardbetween the bracket and the lower washer to normally hold the point orrod E in its lowest position, as shown in Fig. 1.

The foot or bracket 0 beside the point is provided with a split bearingG, in which the supporting-block H of a soldering-iron I engages. Thisblock is preferably rectangular and is adjustable to and from thesupportingpoint, and may be held in its adjusted position by clamping itin its bearing through the medium of the clamping-screw J.

In the normal position of the parts the lower end of the rod orsupporting-standard E is below the lower end of the solderingiron, andto put it in operation the operator presses down on the brace tocompress the spring F and thus lower the soldering-iron upon the seam.

It will be evident that by turning the brace when the parts are in thisposition (shown in Fig. 2) the soldering-iron will take a circular pathabout the support and that the size of the circle may be adjusted asdesired by adjusting the soldering-iron in or out in its bearing.

The soldering-iron shown is preferably an electric soldering-iron of anydesired construction; but in Fig. 5 I have illustrated the con structionof a preferred form of heating means.

K are the electric conductors for conveying the current to thesoldering-iron, and they are preferably passed through the tubular crankof the brace, as plainly shown in Fig. 2, and terminate on the block awithin the head B in contact-strips o and d.

L is a swiveled cap carrying the contactsprings e and f, as shown inFigs. 2 and 4. This swiveled head is made in two parts, the lowersection engaging beneath the block a and the two parts having telescopicor adjustable connection through the medium of the pin it working in theinclined or camshaped slots 1'.

The operation of these parts is as follows: When the two sections of theswiveled top are turned in relation to each other, the pin it, workingin the slot i, will raise or lower the contact f from the terminal 0,and thereby break the circuit, or the reverse movement will close thecircuit and without in any way affecting the continuous contact duringthe operation of the device.

In the operation of the device the operator applies the necessary powerupon the swiveled head, which compresses the spring F and lowers thesoldering iron upon the seam. Then turning the brace the soldering-ironwill take the necessary circular path about the standard.

While I have shown the brace construction as one of. the most desirablewhich could be used in this connection for maintaining a fixed electricconnection with the soldering iron while causing it to take a circularpath about a fixed point, I do not desire to be limited to this preciseconstruction, as it is ob vious that many other constructions may bedevised for carrying" out the same effect, and I believe I am the firstto construct a solderiug-iron in which the current could be maintainedcontinuously to heat the solderingiron while taking it about the fixedpoint to solder a circular seam.

IVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In an electric soldering iron, thecombination with a revoluble bracket, of a supporting standard on thebracket, a soldering iron on the bracket located laterally to one sideof the standard and adapted to circle about the same, electricconductors to the iron, and a swivel contact device therein,substantially as described.

In an electric soldering iron, the combination of an electric solderingiron, a head or bracket on which it is secured, a standard slidinglyengaging therethrough, a spring snpporting the head on the standard, theconductors, and a swivel contact device in the conductors around thepivotal point-,substaniially as described.

In an electric soldering iron, the combination of the brace, asupporting standard therefor, an electric soldering iron adjustablysecured beside the standard in the brace, and

conductors connecting with the iron at all points of adjustment,substantially as described.

4. In an electric soldering iron, the combination with the brace, havinga supporting standard and an electric soldering iron at its lower end,of a swivel top for the brace, the conductors extending into the top,and a swivel contact device in the swivel top, sulr stantially asdescribed.

5. In an electric soldering iron, the combination with the brace, havingthe supporting standard and the soldering; iron at the lower endthereof, of the conductors terminating, at the top of the brace, theadjustable swivel cap, and contacts in the cap forming a switch,substantially as described.

(3. In an electric soldering iron, the combination of the brace, thehead block a .the cap L made in two sections having a limited to tationin relation to each other, the pin it on one part, working in the slot1' in the other part, and the contacts and terminals constructed andarranged, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence ol. two witnesses.

FRANK l3. RAE.

\Vitnesses:

M. B. ODOGHERFY, L. J. WrrrrrEMoRn.

